Vehicle signaling device



0 1 I Aug 927 c:.- A; GODSHALK VEHICLE S IGNALING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet].

Aug. 30., 1927. 1 1,640,700

c. A. GODSHALK v VEHICLE SIGNALING DEVICE Fild Dec. 5. 1925 :2 Sheets-ShetZ Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

uuiifsn wim a CLAREIECEA. eon COMPANY, or PHILADELPHIA,

vAnIA; I

. Application filed December My improvements relate to electric systems arranged to. be portable with an automobile or other vehicle, whereby either an audible .or visible signal, or both, carried by the vehicle, may be manitestedat the will of the operator. y

As hereinafter described; my invention comprises an electric circuit including a source ofcurrent a signaling device and ,a switch, themanually operative member of the latter being. carried in coaxialrelation with the St8llnf{hWl18I of the vehicle. In systems ,of theprior art thus broadly described; theswitch mechanism carried by the wheel is electrically connected with the other parts of the system by flexible wires secured at one end upon the steering}; wheel and at the other endnpon some stationary part of the vehicle. Such a construction and arrang ement necessitate the provision of. a considerableextent of such flexible wires so disposed tl at they may be coiledand uncoiled, or otherwise iieXed, with every movement of the steering wheel throughout thecoinplete rotation of the latter "in either direction with reference to the stationary steering.

favoided by the operator, but therepeated 'fiexure to which they aresubj ected. tends to loosen their terminal connections and thus :rcnder the circuit inoperative, whereas, it is, of course. highly desirable to maintain it continuously operative,

Therefore, .the pur'poseand eiiect oinny present invention are to providea construction andarranggement avoiding the necessity for employment of any such flexible conductors between the rotary stceringwlieel and the stationary steering" column and to provide means tootherwise effect the desired electrical connections; which means are covered and concealed, out of the way. of the operator. and conveniently, Within the hub of the vehicle steering wheel and thesubjacent head or cap of the stationary steering column. My copendinn' application (l.38-23) Serial No. 674,837, filed November-l5. 1923, for LettersPatent of the United States, includes claims broadly coyering such means, but-the claims in this case describe a form of my invention which is different from the p 13 T ors-1012.; f

SHALK,"OF AED'MOBE,

VEHICLE SIGNALING DEVICE.

3, i923, Serial no. 678,132.

v VLVanN'IA, TO A. H. FOX GUN PENNSYLVANIA, a CORPORATIONLOF PENNSYIP specific form claimed in that case. In that case, the electric circuit in thevehicle comprises two terminals secured upon the steering column, so that they do not turnwith the steering wheel, but are relatively movable into contact with each other,-lil e the ter minals of an ordinary push button, but such movement is mechanically etiectedby manually operative switch mechanism carried by the steering wheel and including a push ring which overlies said term nalsand is moved to cause the latter to contact with each other,

but without including such. push ring inthe electriccircuit. On the contrary, in the form of my invention herein shown; ,the electric circuit in the vehicle comprises two terminals secured upon the steering column in such relation that they cannot contact with each other but consist of two plane rings which are held in immovable. relation with each other and in concentric relation with the steering shaft, but the gap between them is arranged to! be bridged and the circuit;

thus completed by a movable electric conducting contact or contacts carried bythe steering wheel in connection with switch mechanism by which the same may be manu ally pushed into contact with both of said terminals.

My invention includes the variousnove features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely epecified.

In said drawings; FigxI is a fragmentary plan view of a steering'wheel conveniently embodying my improved switch mechanism. Fig. II is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. I and the subjacent parts of the rotary steering" wheel and stationary steering column, ,andtheir appurtenances, takenon the line II,:II in Fig". I. I i

' Fig. III is fragmentary vertical sectional view or the structure shown lILFlfISwI and "Fig. V is a plan view of a contact push slip ring adapted to bridge said terminals in the embodiment of my invention shown in said figures. V

Fig. VI isa fragmentary vertical sec- Itional view ofsaid push Sllp ring, taken on the line VI, VI in Fig. V, but on a larger scale, showing means for connecting the same in insulated relation with the manually operative push button plunger shown in Figs. I, II and III.

Fig. VII is an enlarged side elevation of a modified form of my invention including a plurality of spring contacts, carried by a manually operative push button plunger in lieu of the slip ring shown in Fig. V.

111 said figures; I have shown a form of my invention adapted for embodiment in an automobile having steering gearing of the Ford type. including the stationary steering column post 1 provided with the screw thread 2 adapted to be engaged by the stationary head cap 3 including an annular electric terminal recess 1 at its top. Said cap has key sockets 5, preferably in diametrically opposite positions. as indicated in Fig. II. each adapted to receive a. key 6 which is driven downward therein in engagement with the screw threads 7 connecting said cap 8 with said column 1, to normally prevent said cap from being unscrewed from said column, but which may be driven upward and out when the steering wheel. is removed from said column or the lock hereinafter described is withdrawn.

The steering shaft 9 is mounted to rotate in said post column 1 and is operatively connected, by the key 10, with the steering wheel hub 11. to which it is detachably rigidly secured by the nut 12. engaging the screw thread 18, on said shaft. Said steering wheel conveniently includes an annular wooden rim rigidly connected with the outer ends of the arms of the aluminum spider 14, which is rigidly connected with said hub 11,.conveniently by rivets 15 indicated in Fig- III. Said hub 11 has the skirt flange 16 overhanging said cap 3 and covering said terminal recess 4.

The electric switch mechanism includes the hollow push. button plunger 17 carried by said wheel spider 1 in axial relation therewith and having the helical spring 18 in it arranged to press it axially outward. However, the outward movement of said plunger 17 is limited by its circular flange 20 encountering the hollow retaining ring 21 which overhangs said plunger flange and is rigidly connected with said wheel spider 1-1, conveniently by the two screws 22. Said flange 20 has a circular series of three plunger rod seats 24 arranged to register with the circular series of three sockets 25, extending through said hub 11; which series are in coaxial relation with said wheel. Each of the three plunger rods 27 has an annular groove 28 near its outer end forming a reduced portion adapted to fit in one of said seats 24; in which said rods are held by their engagement in said sockets 25. Each of said rods 27 is split and thus bifurcated at its lower portion, and has near its lower end, a region 30 of reduced diameter, as indicated in Fig. VI, so that said rods may be respectively thrust through and respectively engage resilient insulating bushings 31 which may be formed of soft rubber and are thus secured in openings 32 in upwardly offset portions of the push slip ring 33 which is an electric conductor. Said ring 33 is thus rigidly connected with said push but-ton plunger 17 for vertical reciprocation in said annular electric terminal recess 1 in the top of said cap 3 and is normally upheld by said spring 18 in the position shown in Fig. II. However. said ring 33 may be depressed into contact with the two plane metal ring terminals 35 and 36 of the electric circuit indicated in Fig. IV; which terminals are fixed in relatively immovable relation in the insulating base ring 37 in said stationary column cap recess I. Said terminals 35 and 36 are respectively connected to the conductor wires 39 and 4C0 comprised in said circuit, which also includes any suitable source of electric energy, indicated as a storage battery -11 and any suitable electrically operative signal 12 indicated as a horn.

However. it is tobe understood that any other electric translating 'device may be in cluded in said circuit to be operated by the switch mechanism above described. For instance. said circuit may include an incandescent lamp -13 or any other audible or visible signaling device. In other words; said switch mechanism may be used to either operate an audible signal, or a visible signal, or both, or any other electrically operative element, for instance, an incandescent lamp disposed with a suitable reflector as a search light. Of course, when said plunger 17 is manually depressed, in opposition to said spring 18. raid push slip ring 33 bridges and closes the circuit between said stationary contacts 35 and 36 and thus operates whatever signal devices are included in said circuit.

Although I have indicated wire conductors upon both sides of said circuit leading from said switch; of course, one side of the circuit may be established through the metallic frame of the vehicle, in which case, only one stationary terminal is necessary for cooperation with the slip ring 33 which, in that case, would not be insulated but in electric connection with said metallic frame. Such a contact is shown in Fig. VII. As shown in II; said conductor wires 39 and 40 extend downward through drilled holes 15 and 4-6 and radially outward therefrom in channels 1:7 and in said cap 3, which channels are covered by sheet metal slides 50. However, they may be otherwise disposed. JLS shown; said stationary steering column cap 3 is provided with a circular series of four locking recesses 51 adapted to be selecitively engaged :by 1'tll63 lk body 52 which eis;mounted to reciprocate in the lock cas- 1ngi53 vlWlllCll is 1 formed 1n unitary; relation rwith the hub 11; so that sa1d=whcel may be bithus lockcdrin operative position-when \dc- .nued

llow

v fiveharaeter claimed in'liettersP-atent of the United I-States No. "1367 200 granted to .James A. "Murphey February 1, 1921. The d'BClPlJOCflfOl'YlJllOVGlllGflt of -l lock body r52ntoa1ul\from engagement with said lockii ng' recesses filislimited by the screw 55which is mountedin said: lock casing so asto' extend in the slot 56 insaid lock body. The latter includes the transversely reciparocatory plunger-58 which normally projects downwa rch but" may beraise'd by rontat'ionof the key--59 whir -r a handleby which saidl' y may be reciprocated. Said plungerSS isaoapted to alternately extend into the two rec. 61 and62 in saidvlock casingfil to deta i lock body alternately in the locked position shown in Fig. II, anldinwithdrawn nn-- locked position. It may-be observed that in either of said positio1is,"saidlock body 52 prevents access to said recess 62. When said lotk body52 is unlocked and withdrawn from said casing by said key 59, said recess 62 may be brought into registry with either of said key sockets 5, so that the keys 6 may be driven upward and outward to release said column cap 3, so that the latter may be unscrewed from said column 1 for repairs etc. Howev it may beobseved that when said lock body 52 is in. its normal unlocked position, the steering wheel maybe released and removed from said shaft 9 by unscrewing said nut- 12; thus ailording access to said slip ring 38 carried by said wheel, and the stationary contacts and 36 with which it cooperates in said column cap 3, and permitting said keys 6 to be driven out.

However, as above noted with reference to Fig; VII, the electric circuit may be completed by a push button switch device without the employment of a continuously annular slip ring such as indicated at In said figure; the push button. plunger 18 is provided with three plunger rods (35 held therein by respective screws 66 and provided of which there are three in equal circumfeentially spaced relation, each adapted to bridge the gap between said stationary ter pr minals 35 and 36. i f i Although I have found it convenient to 1 modi tie a electrically connect suit terminals, including an annular pushring overlying said ter- 7 mally herd paid plunger n serves at their lower ends with contact elements 6?,

illustrate 1 my invention in connection xwith steering mechanism of; the peculiar" tFond -type 1t'.1s.to lJPJiUDQlOE'StUOdtlltttlliflSlDOt limited tosuch an embediment. Therefore,

I do not desire to limit. niysel to theprecise details I of construction and i a "rangcment depa on in rention as I claim: 1. An electric (lCVlCOulllCllHllllQ thecombinatiou.witha pair of relatively immovable a nular terminals; of i'ueans arrangedsto minalsya member having a circular series of sockets in registrywith said push ring; a manually operative plunger overlying said socketed member; a circular series of plunger 5 rods extending flOlllSRlCl plunger in said sockets, in cooperative relation with-said rush rii and a spring arranged to norrods and ring in inoperative posit on. 390 An electric device including the combination w i apair ofrelatively unmov- '-able annularterminals;-ofaneans arranged to electrically connect said tern-iir'ials including an annular push ring overlying-said terminals; a member having a circular series of sockets in registry with said push ring; a manually operative plunger overlying said socketed member; a circular series ofplunger rods extending fromsaid plunger in said sockets, in cooperative relation with said push ring; each of said rods having a circumferential groove forming a reduced por tion near the inner end thereof and being split longitudinally at itsinner end; resilient insulating bushings respectively encircling said rods in said reduced portions thereof and mounted in said push ring; and a spring arranged to normally hold said plunger rods and ring in inoperative position.

An electric device including the combination with apair of relatively immovable annular terminals; of means arranged to electrically connect said terminals, including an annular push. ring overlying said terminals; a member having a circular series of sockets in registry with said push ring; a manually operative plunger overlying said socketed member; a circular series of plunger rods extending from said plunger in said sockets, in cooperative relation with said push ring; each of said rods having a circumferential groove forminga reduced por- I tion near theinner end thereof and being split longitudinally at its inner end ;.resilient insulating bushings respectively encircling said rods in said reduced portions thereof and mounted in said push ring; said ring normal plane, and said bushings being mounted in said offset portions; and a spring arranged to normally hold said plunger rods and ring in inoperative position.

4. An electric device including the com bination with a pair of relatively immovable annular tern'iinals; of means arranged to electrically connect said terminals, including an annular push ring overlying said terminals; a member having a circular series of sockets in registry with said push ring; a manually operative plunger overlying said sockcted member, and having a circular series of plunger rod seats respectively in registry with said sockets; a circular series of plunger rods extending from said plunger in said sockets in cooperative relation with said push ring; each of said rods having a circumferential groove near its upper end forming a reduced portion adapted to lit in one of said seats, in which said rods are held by their engagement in said sockets; and a spring arranged to normally hold said plunger rods and ring in inoperative position.

5. An electrical device including the combination with a pair of relatively immovable annular terminals, means arranged to electrically connect said terminals, including an annular push ring overlying said terminals and having a circular series of insulating bushing openings therein, the portions of said ring provided with said openings being offset from the normal plane of said ring away from said terminals, a member having a circular series of sockets in registry with said openings in said push ring, a manually operable plunger overlying said socketed member, a circular series of plunger rods connected to said plunger and extending through said sockets and operatively connected to said push ring, insulating bushings encircling said rods and securely mounted in said openings in said push ring and a spring arranged to normally hold said plunger and the rods and ring connected thereto out of contact. with said terminals.

(5. An electrical device including the co1nbination with a metallic cap for the steering column of an automobile, having an annular terminal recess in the top of said cap concentric with said column, terminals in said recess and two conductor passageways leading away from said terminal recesses parallel to the axis of said. column and then extending radialy outward respectively to diametrically opposite portions of the exterior oi said cap, of an annular push ring overlying said terminals, a member having circular series oi plunger rods extending therethrough and connected to said push ring, a manuall operative plunger connected to the upper ends of said plunger rods and a spring for normally holding said plunger rods and ring out of cont-act with said terminals, the lower ends 01 said rods being insulated from said push ring.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 13th day of November, 1923.

CLARENCE A. GODSHALK. 

